Originally Posted by Sheltiemom

Hi, Hermes -

As you say, even one of if not the best facility in the country hasn't been able to come up with a Dx for you.

Where is the program Mystery Diagnosis when we need them? Now wish I'd written down the causes of some of the diseases that program has presented. Stuff nobody would think of - but some docs did.

For whatever it might be worth - did JH do autonomic nervous system testing on you? Did they test for things like Guillain-Barre (not sure of spelling), Charcot-Marie-Tooth, hereditary neuropathies, etc.? Would think so. If not, though, you might ask if they are possibilities.

Good luck at your appointment, and try to hang in there. If you feel you're getting worse, though, don't hesitate to call and see if you can be fit into the schedule really soon.

Sheltiemom

Originally Posted by Hermes

I have had some autonomic symptoms - my neurologist sent me to a cardiologist for a tilt table test but he wouldn't do it. Says noone does anymore and insurance won't pay for it. If the problem - blood pressure drop when I stand (light headiness) gets worse I'm supposed to come back and he'll put me on some meds to see if it helps.

The guy I saw at JH specialized in MS and and transverse myelitis. Those were ruled out. I think he ordered test for all the other stuff also.

Originally Posted by Hermes

Hi everyone. I'm new here. My symptoms started about 2 years ago with numbness in my thighs when I stood still for any length of time. My doctor sent me to a rheumatologist who couldn't find any problems and told me it would just go away. Around a year ago the pain started. I went back to my doctor and he sent me to a neurologist. She ordered an MRI of my spine, which was normal, and then of my brain also normal. I then had an Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study (NCS). These also were normal. I was told that all we could do was try and treat symptoms. I was on Neurotin, which didn't work. Pain, sensitivity and numbness got worse and spread into my feet. I went to Johns Hopkins University Neurology in Baltimore, MD and they ran another EMG/NCS and an MRI of my neck - all normal. The doctor sent some recommendations for 3 meds (Neurotin, Cymbalta, Lyrica) to try to my neurologist here in VA. Cymbalta worked fairly well at first later she had to added Lyrica. Hopkins ordered a battery of blood tests, 13 vials of blood - all came back normal. Hopkins then ordered a skin biopsy to test for small fiber neuropathy - normal also.

My DX is Polyneuropathy - Idopathic. Pain, numbness, sensitivity continues to get worse, especially at night. It is also spreading up my lower back. My neurologist referred me to the John Hopkins Blaustein Pain Treatment Center after saying that she didn't know what to do. I have an appointment, first available, in 5 weeks for an initial consultation. I hope I can still function by then.

I do feel very fortunate to be this close to Hopkins as it is one of the top rated medical centers in the country. However, it concerns me even the top hospital in the country doesn't know what is causing this or how to treat it. My fear is that if they can't treat the cause then the symptoms will just keep getting worse.

Anyway I've been reading the posts here and thought I'd share and see if anyone had any thoughts on my condition.